EXCLUSIVE: Premiership rugby in coronavirus chaos as ‘double figure number’ of positive tests at Sale means they may have to forfeit their crunch clash with Worcester as teams scramble for play-off places
- The Premiership climax has been plunged into turmoil after an outbreak at Sale
- Sale Sharks have received a ‘double figure number’ of positive coronavirus tests
- They could be forced to forfeit their crunch clash with Worcester on Sunday
- PRL are scrambling to find a solution with the league set for grandstand finish
The climax of the Premiership season has been thrown into chaos after an outbreak of COVID-19 amongst the players at Sale.
Sportsmail understands the club’s crucial final-round match with Worcester could be cancelled after a ‘double figure number’ of positive tests.
The league announced on Friday morning that team announcements have been delayed and PRL are now scrambling to find a solution.
Sale could be forced to forfeit clash with Worcester after a number of positive COVID-19 tests
The climax of the Gallagher Premiership season could be thrown into chaos after the news
The competition is set up for a grandstand finish, with Sale, Wasps, Bristol and Bath all vying for the three remaining play-off places.
But Sale could now be forced to forfeit the match, leaving Wasps and Bath with a guaranteed semi-final, and Bristol needing just one point against London Irish.
PRL refused to comment.
It will come as a huge blow to Sales Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond ahead of the finale
Sale are currently fourth in the Premiership table, level on points with Bristol, with Bath in third and Wasps in second.
Bristol ensured the race for the play-offs would go down to the wire with a morale-boosting 40-3 win over Leicester Tigers, while Sale beat Northampton 34-14 last time out.
Meanwhile, Bath overcame Gloucester 31-20 and Wasps secure victory at Northampton with a 32-23 success.